Kevin's Battle with Brain Cancer

Kevin Smith is a 21 year old student and Navy Sailor in San Diego, California who was recently diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor known as Glioblastoma. Kevin is a young man who has always been full of happiness and joy. He is a young soul that possesses the ability to walk in a room and fill it with light with his positivity and sense of humor. Kevin not only dedicates himself to his country, but also demonstrates his love for family and friends by devoting time to them and on his free time he lives his passion for cars.

The last 3 months have been devastating for Kevin and his family as his father, named Kevin Lajon Smith, passed away in May of this year. The day after his father's memorial, June 4th, he was rushed to the hospital with symptoms such as, massive headache, slurred speech, hallucinations, and difficulty with mobility. After arrival at the emergency department, the doctors conducted a CT scan and MRI, in which they discovered a mass in his left frontal lobe that was applying pressure. A neurosurgeon was called immediately in order to schedule brain surgery to relieve the pressure in the brain and identify the mass. During the surgery Kevin was kept awake in order for the neurosurgeon to be able to notice if any damage would be caused to his speech and comprehension. After the surgery and pathology on the brain mass, it was concluded that Kevin has a Glioblastoma tumor. "Glioblastomas (GBM) are tumors that arise from astrocytes—the star-shaped cells that make up the “glue-like,” or supportive tissue of the brain. Glioblastomas are usually highly malignant—a large number of tumor cells are reproducing at any given time, and they are nourished by an ample blood supply. Because these tumors come from normal brain cells, it is easy for them to invade and live within normal brain tissue" (American Brain Tumor Association).

The neurosurgeon who conducted the surgery does not recommend further surgeries as the tumor is located in a very delicate part of the brain and another surgery represents damage to speech and comprehension. Kevin has begun his radiation and chemotherapy just this week and is staying positive throughout this trial. Because of his condition he is not able to work at the moment and needs to continue to recover from his surgery as well as getting used to the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy. We are asking the public for any donation that will help both with his medical expenses and day-to-day life expenses as well. Anything and everything is highly appreciated as we go through this battle with cancer. We are not just asking for monetary help but also for prayers as we are well aware that God performs miracles everyday and we are confident that Kevin will be a miracle.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.